- Do you work in film but want to have the skills necessary to deliver more exciting and innovative programmes?
- Do you want to start a film club, run a community cinema or deliver a festival?
- Do you want your CV to jump to the top of the pile when applying for film jobs?
- Do you want to know how you can deliver specialist programmes or bring minority groups into a cinema?
- Do you know and love film, but want to have the practical skills and detailed knowledge that will make you an expert programmer?
Cultural Cinema Exhibition is essential training for anyone who wants to take their film career to the next level.
If you want to work in cinema or festival programming, film curation, artist moving image, film education or specialist film, film marketing or audience development this course is comprehensive and practical and will immeasurably boost your skills and knowledge.
Applications for this course have now closed.
In the decade-long history of the course, its alumni have achieved top jobs at the Barbican, the British Film Institute, City Screen, Curzon Cinemas, Soda Pictures, Watershed and film festivals around the world.
You will learn:
- A complete toolkit for understanding audiences, including increasing access for young people, children, LGBT, disabled and ethnically diverse audiences
- How the film industry works from key figures, including producers, sales agents, programmers, exhibitors, VOD platforms and more
- How to market a film from press campaigns to copy, from social media to offline
- A full knowledge of the technical aspects of film so you can be sure of a superb show every time
- How you can create and build audiences for archive film, artist moving image, international cinema, event cinema and alternative content
- The key details of practical programming: negotiating, securing rights and understanding release windows
Who is this course for?
- Professionals with 1-3 years’ experience who are looking to forge a career in the cultural cinema sector, including programming, education, marketing and audience development
- Any film industry professionals who currently work in management, programming, education, marketing, administration or fundraising at independent cinemas, film festivals, film societies and pop-ups
- People who currently work in exhibition who want to build an audience for cultural cinema at their venue
- People who run, or who have a strong desire to run, grass roots film societies and venues
How much is the course?
The course is £420 (£350 + VAT) and a limited number of bursaries are available towards fees, travel and accommodation. The fee includes a two-day pass to National Screening Days in London (usually priced at £44).
How is the course taught?
This is an intensive course, taught over eight days. It comprises talks from a wide range of film industry experts, practical exercises, tutorials and networking. Two of the training days take place at the ICO’s Screening Days, which gives you the chance to see a wide variety of upcoming cultural cinema films, then gives you the chance to workshop these releases.
Who is leading the course?
The course will be lead by Catharine Des Forges and David Sin of the Independent Cinema Office.
How to apply
Applications for this course are now closed.
For any enquiries, please contact training@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk.
This course has been funded by the Creative Skillset Film Skills Fund as part of ‘A Bigger Future 2’, the UK film skills strategy. The Creative Skillset Film Skills Fund is supported by the National Lottery through the BFI and the film industry through the Skills Investment Fund.
Programme
How is it taught?
Cultural Cinema Exhibition is taught through presentations and panel discussions from industry experts; practical workshops (including a final group project incorporating everything you’ve learnt on the course); screenings, peer discussion and networking opportunities.
The course takes place over eight days, comprising six days’ intensive training and two days of films (with some specific titles to be viewed for the course) during the ICO Screening Days at BFI Southbank, London.
Who are the speakers?
Cultural Cinema Exhibition is taught by a team of engaging experts and inspiring guest speakers working at the forefront of the film industry, including:
Adam Pugh (Artists’ Moving Image Project Manager, ICO)
Allison Gardner (Head of Cinemas,Glasgow Film: GFT and Glasgow Film Festival)
Andrew Turner (Director of Sales, Twentieth Century Fox Film Company Ltd)
Andrew Woodyatt (Film Marketing Consultant)
Caroline Hennigan, Programme Director, Broadway
Catharine Des Forges (Director, ICO) – co-course leader
Clare Wilford (PR Consultant)
Colin Burch (Verve Pictures)
David Jenkins (Little White Lies)
David Sin (Head of Cinemas, ICO) – co-course leader
Edward Fletcher (Co-founder and Managing Director, Soda Pictures)
Gaylene Gould (Writer, Coach and Presenter)
Geraldine Moloney (Film Distributors’ Association)
Maria Palacios Cruz (Curator of avant-garde cinema and artists’ film and video)
Michael Pierce (Scalarama / Cinema Nation)
Holly Tarquini (Bath Film Festival)
Iain McLeod (Senior Film Booker, Empire Cinemas)
Ian Francis (Flatpack Film Festival)
Isabelle Fauchet (Event Cinema Association)
Jason Wood (Artistic Director, HOME)
Kate Taylor (Film Programmer, BFI London Film Festival)
Lindsay O’Nions (Film Curator, Barbican)
Liz Leyshon (Strode Theatre)
Michael Kuhn (Director, Qwerty Films)
Mike Tait (Cinema Youth Development Officer, Dundee Contemporary Arts)
Patrick Hurley (Distribution Manager, Dogwoof)
Rebecca Del Tufo (Programmer, Programming and Business Manager, Saffron Screen)
Rebecca Shatwell (Festival Director, AV Festival)
Sophie Mayer (Writer, Journalist)
…with more to be announced soon!
Schedule
Friday 17 April 2015
09.30 – 10.00 Registration
10.00 – 10.45 Course introduction
10.45 – 12.30 UK film industry and the practicalities of film programming
12.30 – 13.15 Lunch
13.15 – 14.45 Cinema programmers
14.45 – 16.00 Meet the distributors
16.00 – 16.15 Break
16.15 – 17.15 The role of film festivals
17.15 – 17.30 Round up
17.30 – 18.30 Networking drinks
Saturday 18 April 2015
09.00 – 18.00 ICO Screening Days
18.00 – 20.00 ICO Screening Days networking drinks
Sunday 19 April 2015
09.00 – 18.00 ICO Screening Days
Monday 20 April 2015
09.30 – 10.00 Recap of the course
10.00 – 11.30 Introduction to marketing film
11.30 – 11.45 Break
11.45 – 13.00 Case study: National marketing campaign
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 15.15 Marketing films to local audiences
15.15 – 15.30 Break
15.30 – 16.15 The producer’s perspective
16.15 – 17.15 Practical: Programming and marketing strategies
17.15 – 17.30 Round up
Tuesday 21 April 2015
09.30 – 10.00 Introduction to the day
10.00 – 11.30 Introduction to Press and PR
11.30 – 11.45 Break
11.45 – 13.00 Practical: Writing copy
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 15.30 Commentating on Film
15.30 – 15.45 Break
15.45 – 17.15 Practical: Promoting specialised releases
17.15 – 17.30 Round-up
18.00 – 20.00 Networking dinner
Wednesday 22 April 2015
09.30 – 09.45 Introduction to the day
09.45 – 10.30 Introduction to audience development strategies
10.30 – 11.45 Diversifying audiences and access
11.45 – 12.00 Break
12.00 – 13.00 Film for children and young audiences
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 15.30 Practical: Audience development strategies
15.30 – 15.45 Break
15.45 – 17.15 Technical aspects of film and its formats
17.15 – 17.30 Round up
Thursday 23 April 2015
09.30 – 09.45 Introduction to the day
09.45 – 10.15 Screening: Archive Film
10.15 – 11.15 Archive film
11.15 – 11.30 Break
11.30 – 12.00 Screening: Artists moving image
12.00 – 13.00 Artists’ moving image
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 – 15.30 Specialised programming
15.30 – 15.45 Break
15.45 – 17.15 Practical: Programming and promoting specialised film
Friday 24 April 2015
09.30 – 09.45 Introduction to the day
09.45 – 11.15 The future of the UK film industry debate
11.15 – 11.30 Break
11.30 – 13.00 Group CCE project work
13.00 – 13.45 Lunch
13.45 – 15.15 Group CCE project work
15.15 – 15.30 Break
15.30 – 17.00 Project presentations and feedback
17.00 – 17.30 Round up
17.30 – 18.30 End of course drinks
Practical Info
Accessibility
The main BFI Southbank foyer and box office entrance is on Theatre Avenue, by the National Theatre at street level. There are stairs and a wheelchair accessible lift to gain access to the main foyer. For full details on the accessibility of the BFI Southbank building please visit the ‘Access information’ page on the BFI website.
We have an access fund for this course so we can contribute to the costs of any additional requirements you may have (e.g. alternate print formats, BSL signers…). Please get in touch with us to discuss your needs at least four weeks before the course so we can make arrangements.
Getting to BFI Southbank
BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road
South Bank
London
SE1 8XT
The main entrance to BFI Southbank is on Theatre Avenue (off of Upper Ground or The Queen’s Walk), between BFI Southbank and the National Theatre.
Walking
From Waterloo railway station (5-10min walk)
Turn left out of the station onto Station Approach, cross over York Square and York Road at the traffic lights. Turn left onto Concert Hall Approach, at the end of the road turn right onto Belvedere Road. Go past the Royal Festival Hall on your left, go past the Hayward Gallery on your left, and continue onto Upper Ground. Turn left onto Theatre Avenue. The main entrance to BFI Southbank is on your left.
From Waterloo underground station (5-10min walk)
Come out of the South Bank exit of the underground station. Turn left out of the station onto York Road. Turn left onto Concert Hall Approach, at the end of the road turn right onto Belvedere Road. Go past the Royal Festival Hall on your left, go past the Hayward Gallery on your left, and continue onto Upper Ground. Turn left onto Theatre Avenue. The main entrance to BFI Southbank is on your left.
From Charing Cross (10 – 15min walk)
Turn left out of the station onto Craven Street. At the bottom of Craven Street turn left onto Northumberland Avenue. Near the bottom of Northumberland Avenue take the stairs up onto the Hungerford Bridge. Once you have crossed the Hungerford Bridge take a left along Jubilee Gardens (along the River Thames). Walk along the river, passing the Royal Festival Hall and the Queen Elizabeth Hall on your right. You will walk underneath Waterloo Bridge, the BFI Southbank is on your right just after the bridge. The main entrance to BFI Southbank is on Theatre Avenue – walk past BFI Southbank and go round the building to the right, the main entrance is on your right.
By car
There is parking under Hayward Gallery, Royal National Theatre and Jubilee Gardens.
By train/underground
Nearest underground stations
Nearest main line rail stations
Planning your journey
Use Transport for London’s (TFL) Journey Planner service and live travel news
Nearby hotels (by distance)
The Wellington Hotel
Approximate rate per night: £98 – £149
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.2 miles
SACO Waterloo (serviced apartments)
Approximate rate per night: £204
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.3 miles
Premier Inn London County Hall
Approximate rate per night: £79 – £155
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.3 miles
Premier Inn London Waterloo
Approximate rate per night: £79 – £138
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.3 miles
Mad Hatter Hotel
Approximate rate per night: £158 – £194
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.4 miles
ibis London Blackfriars
Approximate rate per night: £89 – £134
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.5 miles
Travelodge London Southwark
Approximate rate per night: £72 – £119
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.6 miles
Travelodge London Waterloo
Approximate rate per night: £54 – £89
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.6 miles
Holiday Inn Express Southwark
Approximate rate per night: £88 – £128
AppAppDistance to BFI Southbank: 0.8 miles
The Bridge Hotel
Approximate rate per night: £41 – £115
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.8 miles
Mecure London Bridge Hotel
Approximate rate per night: £96 – £114
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.8 miles
ibis Styles London Southwark Rose
Approximate rate per night: £78 – £147
Distance to BFI Southbank: 0.9 miles
Premier Inn London Southwark
Approximate rate per night: £79 – £150
Distance to BFI Southbank: 1 mile
The Portland
Approximate rate per night: £92.52
Distance to BFI Southbank: 1 mile
Rosebery Hall
Approximate rate per night: £47 – £66
Distance to BFI Southbank: 1.9 miles
NB. The ICO does not endorse any of the above hotels.